The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of
omega-3 fatty acids (omega3FA) on
acute necrotizing pancreatitis (
ANP) induced by
glycodeoxycholic acid in rats. The induction of
ANP resulted in significant increases in mortality rate, intestinal permeability,
bacterial infection in pancreas and extrapancreatic organs, and serum activity of
urea and
amylase,
alanine transferase (ALT),
interleukin (IL)-6,
tumor necrotizing factor-alpha (
TNF-alpha),
lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid, tissue activity of
myeloperoxidase (MPO) and
malondialdehyde (MDA) in the pancreas and lung, and a considerable decrease of concentrations of
calcium,
protein and
albumin. The use of omega3FA reduced mortality,
phenol sulfophthalein excretion in urine,
bacterial infection in pancreas, liver, spleen, MPO and MDA levels in pancreatic and lung tissue, LDH level in BAL fluid and serum
IL-6 and
TNF-alpha values. Serum
triglyceride increased only in the omega3FA groups. Serum
amylase, ALT,
calcium,
urea,
protein,
IL-1, and degree of pancreatic damage indicated no difference between the
pancreatitis groups. Increased intestinal permeability and
cytokine levels, and
free radical damage play an important role during the course of
acute pancreatitis. The treatment with omega3FA improves these effects. omega3FA may be useful in the treatment during
ANP in rats. Therefore, it can be beneficial in patients with
pancreatitis.